Visual-signal device for vehicles.



A. F. COPERSITU. VISUAL SIGNAL DEVICE FOR VEHICLES. APPLIGATION TILED 00115, 1912.

1, 1 1 1,738, Patented Sept.29,1914.

INVENTQR STATES P TENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY r. COPERSITO. or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO iroHN MQMAHON, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

VISUAL-SIGNAL DEVICE FOR VEHICLES,

Specificationpf Letters Patent. Patnted Spt. 29, 1914.

Application filed October 15, 1912. Serial No. 725,909.

To all whom it may concern "Be it known that I, ANTHONY F. Coronsrr'o, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Visual-Signal Dea specification.

vices for Vehicles, of which the following is My present signal devices more articularly adapted for use on Vehicles suc as automobiles, to be disposed at the rear end thereof, and whereby reduction of speed or stalling of the vehicle' may be visually noted from the device.

A device constructed according to my invention is particularly desirable for usein connection with vehicles on crowded highways, where a succession of vehicles are traveling, since it provides a means whereby accidents, such as rear end collisions, may

' be avoided.

which will work automatically according to The principal objects of invention are to provide a signal device of the character described which is simple in construction,

and hence, inexpensive to manufacture; one

whether the vehicle moves or not; and, to

= render the device susceptible of use at nightspeed time, when it is most desirable to indicate by lights, whether the vehicle is moving or stalled.

Other objects of my invention will appear in the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which drawing: t

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of electrical connections. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

1n the drawings, where similar characters refer-to similar parts, 4 designatesa dial having markings thereon to indicate the low of the moving vehicles, as by the words Slow and Slower, and stalling by the word Stop. An indicator 5 is provided to move over the face ofdial 4, and is mounted upon a spindle 6 journaled in suitable frame-work 7 A counter weight 5' may be provided in connection with indicar tor 5 so that said indicator-may be swung The framework 7 may be so constructed freely about its axls.

invention relates to visual lamp 20.

with transmission of the vehicle moving at a positive velocity ratio with the tread of the wheels thereof. Revoluble with standard 11 is a governer 15, preferably of the weighted pendulum type, and having an actuating annulus 16, movable by-the centrifugal action upon the weights of the governor. The lower end of the governor is stabilized by means of a pin extending through said annulus and into the one end of rack 10, opposite from the teeth thereof. The annulus 16 is operatively connected with rack 10 so that reciprocation of said annulus will be transmitted to the rack.

Laterall of the license tag space, I have disposed t e usual tail lamp 18, and to be disposed in proximity to the tag1 and relative to the markings Slower an Stop I provide a lamp 19, preferably yellow in color, to indicate low speed of the vehicle, and a second signal lamp 20, preferably red in color, for indicating the stalling of the vehicle, or as a danger signal.

Referring now more particularly toFig. 3 of the drawing, 21 designates an electric generator, of any suitable type, from which a conductor 22 leads to one of the poles of each of lamps 19 and 20, the other conductor of said generator leading tospindle 6. The indicator 5 carries on its face adjacent the dial 4, a contact 28 adapted tocooperate with either of two contacts 24 or 26, disposed equidistant from the axis of spindle 6. The contact 24, through conductor 25 is operatively connected with the other pole of lamp '19, while contact 26, through conductor 27 is operatively connected with the other pole of 'The contacts 24 and 26 are disosed relative to the markings on dial 4, so that when the indicator 5 points to the marking Slower the circuit may be completed through contacts 24 and 28, and, as the indicator is moved to point to marking Stop posed at the rear end of the vehicle and havthe circuit may be completed through coning markings to indicate low speed and stalltacts 26 and 28. ing of the vehicle, an indicator yieldably 50 The operation of the device is as follows: held by gravity pointing at the marking of 5 Assuming that the device is so constructed said dial indicating stalled, mechanism as to operate as a visual signal device, only adapted for connection with transmission of whlen the speed of the vehicle is less than five the vehicle, moving at a positive velocity mi es per hour, the indicator is positioned, as ratio with the tread of a wheel thereof, for 55 indicated in dotted lines of Fig. 1, when the moving said "indicator from a normal posispeed of the vehicle is over five miles per tion, two electric lights, one to indicate low hour. As the speed decreases, the governor speed and the other stalling of the vehicle, a is very sensitive, and at once 'actua-tes the contact for the light indicating stalling disrack 10 so that the indicator 5 moves over posed in conducting relation to said indica- 60 I the dial face. When movement of the vetor when the latter is in a normal position,

15 hicle is retarded so as to travel at very slow and a contact for the other of said lights speed, the indicator will point to the mark-- disposed to be in conducting relation to said ings Slower, and if the circuit forming by indicator when thelatter moves to indicate conductors 22 and 23 is otherwise complete, low speed, substantially as and for the pur- 65 the lamp 1.9 will be switched on through pose set forth.

contacts-24 and 28. Should the vehicle be- 3. In a visual signal device for vehicles,

come stalled, the indicator 5 will immedithe combination of a dial adapted to be disately point to the marking Stop and light posed at the rear end of a vehicle and hav- 20 will be switched on through contacts 26 ing markings to indicate low speed and 70 and :28. stalling of the vehicle, an indicator weight- Changes may be made in detail without ed to normally point at the markings of the I departing from the spirit or scope of my in-' said dial indicating stalling, mechanism vention; but, adapted for connection with transmission of I I claim the vehicle moving at a positive velocity 76 1. In visual signal devices for vehicles, ratio with the tread of the wheel thereof, for

30 the combination of a dial adapted to be dis: moving said indicator from a normal posiposed at the rear end of a vehicle and havtion, two electric lights, one to indicate low ing markings to indicate low speed and speed and the other stalling, said means hestalling of the vehicle, an indicator for said ing disposed in close proximit to said dial 80 dial, a plurality of electric lights in close and relative to the markings t ereof, a con proximity to said dial and disposed relative tact for the, light indicating stalling disto the markings thereon to indicate low speed posed in conducting relation to said indica and stalling of the vehicle, a contact for each tor when the latter is in a normal osition, of said lights, a contact carried by said indi and the contact for the other of said lights 85 cator for co-action with said first mentioned disposed to be in conducting relation to said 40 contacts, and means adapted for operation indicator when the latter moves to indicate by transmission of the vehicle moving at a low speed, substantially as and for the pur- 'positive velocity ratio with respect to the pose set forth.

tread of the wheels thereof to actuate said i indicator, substantially as and for the pur- ANTHONY R pose set forth. V-Titnesses:

- 2. in a visual signal device for vehicles, MICHAEL CoLAso,

the combination. of a dial adapted to be dis- JOHN MoMAHoN. 

